Extreme rainfall floods sections of Black Bush Polder

– as Govt moves swiftly with emergency intervention, assessments

Several areas of Black Bush Polder, East Berbice-Corentyne (Region 6), were left inundated over the weekend following more than six inches of rainfall within a 48-hour period, prompting an early on-the-ground response by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, who met with farmers and drainage officials on Sunday to activate emergency interventions.

Large expanses of rice lands were seen under water, with sections of fields resembling shallow ponds, young crops partially submerged and access dams saturated. In some areas, water overtopped internal drains, while pumps were deployed to push excess water from cultivation areas back into main channels. Tractors fitted with portable pumps worked along flooded canals, as efforts intensified to bring water levels under control.
Speaking at Yakasari, Minister Mustapha explained that the flooding was triggered by intense rainfall over a short period, which overwhelmed the drainage system.
“We had over six inches of rainfall over 48 hours, and because of that heavy rainfall, the water accumulated very quickly,” the minister said, noting that he had been receiving constant updates from regional officials before visiting the area himself early Sunday morning.
He said immediate steps were taken to prevent further inflow of water into the system, including locking off watercourse heads and prioritising drainage of both residential and farming areas.
“We will be putting additional pumps at Number Four and Three, and all the pumps at Adventure and Eversham are already working. We are also looking at placing small pumps directly into farmers’ plots so that they can remove the water faster,” Mustapha said.
According to the Minister, additional machinery is also being mobilised to assist farmers with impoldering their lands and accelerating drainage.
“I have instructed the engineer to bring in another four or five machines so that we can help people to impolder their farmlands and pump the water out,” he added.
Mustapha further explained that the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) will be making small pumps available to farmers on loan, to help speed up the removal of excess water from affected plots.
Teams from the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), and the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) were also deployed to assess the situation on the ground and determine the extent of losses.
While the Minister said rice crops were not expected to suffer major damage at this stage, he acknowledged that some cash crop farmers had already begun reporting losses due to prolonged waterlogging.
“Some of the cash crop farmers are complaining that their crops are underwater, and we will be doing assessments to see what assistance can be given,” Mustapha said.
He noted that the government agencies have been working closely with farmers in the area for years and will continue to provide support during this period.
The Minister also raised concern about interference with drainage structures, noting that improper tampering worsens flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.

“There is a culture in Black Bush Polder where some people tamper with these structures. Even farmers themselves are complaining about it. I have asked the water users and the NDC [Neighbourhood Democratic Council] to help us monitor the system,” he said, warning that irrigation and drainage channels must not be misused.
He disclosed that one individual who had requested an additional pump was later reported by other farmers to already be in possession of one issued by the authorities. As a result, NDIA has been instructed to investigate the matter and take appropriate action.
Looking ahead, Minister Mustapha pointed to the government’s broader climate-resilience measures, including agricultural insurance coverage for rice farmers.
He said farmers affected during the current crop will benefit from the insurance programme, which is supported through a partnership involving the UPL and Mutual Life Insurance companies.
“This shows the vision of the President, because with the unpredictable climate we are facing, farmers are very vulnerable. The systems we have put in place will now be activated,” he said.
According to the Minister, weather stations are already in place, and affected farmers will soon begin receiving their insurance certificates. He added that discussions with stakeholders are ongoing to ensure compensation mechanisms are activated quickly where losses occur.
Despite the flooding, Mustapha expressed optimism that the interventions underway will allow water levels to recede in the shortest possible time.
“Black Bush Polder normally experiences heavy rainfall during this period, but with the mechanisms we have put in place, I believe we can minimise losses and bring relief to farmers,” he stated.